Euryale Seed (Qian Shi)
芡实 · Qiànshí
Euryale ferox
Family: Nymphaeaceae · Part used: Seed · Origin: Gaoyou, Jiangsu, China
Nature
Neutral
Flavor
Sweet, astringent
Meridian
Spleen, Kidney
Qian Shi — the 'chicken-head rice' of the water-fields — astringes where coix drains: binding chronic diarrhea, leukorrhea, and leakage while gently strengthening the spleen and kidney. Su Dongpo, the Song poet, reportedly chewed the seeds daily for vitality. It is the astringent anchor of Si Shen Tang.
🌿 Functions & Actions
- •Strengthens the spleen and stops chronic diarrhea
- •Secures kidney essence and astringes urine
- •Stops leukorrhea and dampness
📋 Traditional Indications
- •Chronic diarrhea and loose stools
- •Cloudy urine and frequency
- •Excessive leukorrhea
- •Nocturnal emissions (traditional)
- •Spleen-kidney weakness
📖 Usage & Dosage
9–15 g in decoction or 20–30 g simmered in congee and soups until tender.
🍵 Classic Recipes
Qian Shi Huai Shan Porridge
Euryale 20 g + chinese yam 20 g + rice — the spleen-astringing daily congee.
Si Shen Tang
Euryale + yam + lotus seed + poria — the classical strengthening quartet.
🔬 Modern Research
Euryale polysaccharides and cyclic peptides are studied for antioxidant and renal-supportive activity.
⚠️ Contraindications
Avoid with constipation, food stagnation, and difficult urination.
